Overview

• Texas lawmakers passed HB4 on an 88–52 party-line vote, sending the congressional map to the Republican-controlled Senate before it can reach Governor Greg Abbott.
• Republicans contend Supreme Court guidance allows partisan redistricting, and bill author Todd Hunter said the plan’s purpose is to boost GOP performance by five seats.
• Democrats said they will sue, alleging the map dilutes Latino and Black voting power and citing a long history of Voting Rights Act challenges to Texas maps.
• Following a two-week quorum-denial walkout, Democrats returned under civil arrest orders, around-the-clock escorts and on-floor protests led by Representative Nicole Collier.
• California’s Legislature approved a special election for Nov. 4 and Governor Gavin Newsom signed a temporary plan—backed by Barack Obama—to add five Democratic-leaning seats, while Republicans filed suit and sought a federal probe.